Committee formed to look into Gujjar demand

Jaipur, June 15: The Rajasthan government constituted a three-member high-powered committee headed by a retired high court judge to look into the Gujjar community's demand to classify them as tribals.
Justice Jasraj Chopra, a retired judge of Rajasthan High Court, was appointed head of the committee while Professor Yogesh Atal, a sociologist of international standing, made a member of the committee.

T. Srinivasan, a senior IAS official was made a member secretary, while Nanagram Sharma, a retired government official, incorporated as special secretary, a statement issued by the state government said Thursday.

Gujjars, who are presently classified as other backward caste (OBC), had launched violent protests from May 29-June 4 demanding tribal status for better job and educational opportunities.

The agitation had paralysed Rajasthan completely for a week with major roads blocked and train services disrupted. At least 25 people were killed and hundreds injured in the violence.

On June 4, the state government and the protesting Gujjars reached an understanding to appoint a three-member high-powered committee to look into the demands of Gujjars.

The commission is to submit its report in three months to the state government.